Dorte Lønsmann - Department of International Business
Communication (IBC)

Main academic
disciplines

Language and Intercultural Studies

Last updated on
02-07-2013

Learning objectives

The student must demonstrate ability
to use the theories and methods of anthropological linguistics to
investigate topics related to language and culture in
organisations, including the ability to

Formulate a relevant research question

Select and explain relevant theories

Perform an analysis by applying theoretical models and concepts
to the empirical case or critically examine, compare and contrast
theoretical models and concepts

Reflect upon the relevance of the research question, the case,
the theories, and the analysis to general issues within
anthropological linguistics

Communicate results in a scientifically valid manner,
including: proper and consistent use of academic English, coherent
and well-argued presentation of all parts of the assignment and
correct and comprehensive use of references

Examination

Individual
written assignment:

Examination form

Home assignment - written product

Individual or group exam

Individual

Students begin work on the assignment during the
course. The students select a topic. The research question has to
be approved by the teacher.

Size of written product

Max. 10 pages

Assignment type

Written assignment

Duration

Written product to be submitted on specified date
and time.

Grading scale

7-step scale

Examiner(s)

One internal examiner

Exam period

December/January

Make-up exam/re-exam

Same examination form as the ordinary
exam

Course content and
structure

The course introduces students to
anthropological linguistics, a field which focusses on the
importance of language for an understanding of culture and society.
The course covers key theoretical concepts and issues of the field
such as linguistic relativity, language contact, cross-language
miscommunication, language ideologies and language and
identity.

The course focusses specifically on the use of anthropological
linguistics in an organisational context, covering topics such as
language choice (when do Danish companies use English and when do
they use Danish and why?), language policy (what kind of strategies
are implemented and why?) and company culture (what is the
relationship between company culture and language use?).

After taking the course, students should be able to understand the
role of language in relation to culture(s). This introduction will
provide students with an angle to understand and explain language
and culture related topics in companies and other organisations
using the theories and methods of anthropological
linguistics.